CSC 376 Distributed Systems

Summary of the course

This course provides an introduction to distributed systems, primarily through a focus on the design and development of software that transmits information across networks. Topics will include some but, perhaps, not all of the following: the architecture of distributed systems; networking; synchronous and asynchronous protocols network programming; remote procedure calls; threading and shared memory concurrency; cryptography and security.

Textbooks and printed resources

Java Network Programming (4th edition), E. R. Harold. O'Reilly & Associates, 2013, Print ISBN: 978-1449357672.

Prerequisites

CSC 301, 383, or CSC 393; and CSC 374

Office Hours

12:15pm - 1:15pm on Mondays and Wednesdays, and 3:15pm - 4:15 on Mondays in the 1st Floor Collaboration Lab, CDM

Assignments and Grading

Overview

This is a programming-intensive course. There will be three (3) individual programming assignments and a group programming project in lieu of a final exam. These programming assignments will require you to write code in Java and possibly another language. There will also be several small assignments that require you to use network tools. In addition, there will be a midterm exam in the latter half of the course. The due dates for all assignments will be listed in the lecture notes and the assignments themselves, as well as added to this syllabus. Further details will be posted on the class website, which is on Desire2Learn (D2L).

Sec. 1. Networking Assignments

• You must install Wireshark and any other network tools needed. A list of needed tools will be provided.
• You may work together on the networking assignments; however, you must each turn in a separate report.

Sec. 2. Individual Programming Assignments

The three programming assignments involve network programming at a low level. You must complete each program individually. In order to pass each programming assignment, you must earn at least six (6) points out of a possible ten (10). Programs that fail to execute do not pass.

Late programming assignments will be accepted until the time that a solution to the assignment is discussed in class. After you submit your code, it will be reviewed and feedback will be provided on D2L. You may revise your code and resubmit it as often as you like up until the due date. Programs submitted after the due date will be graded, but you will not be given the opportunity to correct your mistakes. If you wish to correct your code before a final grade is given, you must do so by the due date. Your grade will be the highest score that you receive for all of the versions that are graded.

Each source file must begin with a comment block containing the following information:

// Student Name:
// Assignment #:
// Source file name:

Sec. 3. Group Programming Assignment

• Groups will be composed of two (2) to four (4) students. Students may form groups voluntarily; however, students who do not join a group voluntarily will be assigned randomly to a group.
• Each group is responsible for creating a simple distributed system. Sample projects will be discussed in class. Your group must obtain permission if you desire to implement your system in a language other than Java or Scala.
• The group assignment will be submitted as source code that must execute in order to pass this requirement.
• You are responsible for communicating with your fellow group members outside of class as needed in order to complete the assignment; however, you will also be given time during several class sessions to work on this assignment.
• As part of the presentation, each group must present a list of credits, indicating precisely what code contributions each group member made to the distributed system. Specifically, each group member must submit code that is used in the final version of the system.
• The class, as a whole, will decide whether each group has performed adequately to pass this assignment. Additionally, the class will also decide whether each group member has contributed adequately to the effort. If the class decides that a group member has not contributed adequately, that group member does not pass this requirement of the course.

Sec. 4. Midterm Exam

The exam is worth one-hundred (100) points. You must score at least sixty (60) points to pass.

Earning Extra Points

You may earn extra credit points by lecturing to the class on a topic that you research this quarter. Although there are many interesting topics in distributed systems, you must confine your topic to one that is relevant to the curriculum for this particular course. As the instructor, I must decide whether your selected topic is sufficiently relevant. If you are interested in this extra credit, please contact me.

How Your Grade for the Course Is Calculated

Your grade is calculated by subtracting the following amounts from 100:

• 10 points for each individual programming assignment not submitted or that fails.
• 5 points for a networking assignment that is not submitted.
• 40% of the difference between your midterm exam grade and 100.
• 10 points if the rest of the class decides that your group project is inadequate or it fails to execute.
• 15 points if the quality of your code in the individual assignments significantly exceeds the quality of your code contributed to the group project.

Alternative grade procedure for midterm exam: If you have a documented disability, such as a history of extreme test taking anxiety, please see me for accommodation.

Policy on Working Together

Each student is expected to turn in original code for the programming assignments. Copying code from another student is considered a serious violation of the university's academic integrity policy (see below).

Course Schedule

TBD

Attendance

Although attendance is encouraged in order to foster participation, it is not mandatory.

Academic Integrity and Plagiarism

This course will be subject to the university's academic integrity policy. More information can be found at http://academicintegrity.depaul.edu/. If you have any questions be sure to consult with your professor.

Academic Policies

All students are required to manage their class schedules each term in accordance with the deadlines for enrolling and withdrawing as indicated in the University Academic Calendar. Information on enrollment, withdrawal, grading and incompletes can be found at: http://cdm.depaul.edu/enrollment.

Students with Disabilities

Students who feel they may need an accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact the instructor privately to discuss their specific needs. All discussions will remain confidential. To ensure that you receive the most appropriate accommodation based on your needs, contact the instructor as early as possible in the quarter (preferably within the first week of class), and make sure that you have contacted the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD) at: csd@depaul.edu.
Lewis Center 1420, 25 East Jackson Blvd.
Phone number: (312)362-8002
Fax: (312)362-6544
TTY: (773)325.7296

Online Course Evaluations

Evaluations are a way for students to provide valuable feedback regarding their instructor and the course. Detailed feedback will enable the instructor to continuously tailor teaching methods and course content to meet the learning goals of the course and the academic needs of the students. They are a requirement of the course and are key to continue to provide you with the highest quality of teaching. The evaluations are anonymous; the instructor and administration do not track who entered what responses. A program is used to check if the student completed the evaluations, but the evaluation is completely separate from the student’s identity. Since 100% participation is our goal, students are sent periodic reminders over three weeks. Students do not receive reminders once they complete the evaluation. Students complete the evaluation online in CampusConnect.

Changes to Syllabus

This syllabus is subject to change as necessary during the quarter. If a change occurs, it will be thoroughly addressed during class, posted under Announcements in D2L and sent via email.

School Policies

Policies of the school are explained on the webpage for this course on my.cdm.depaul.edu.